An improved lumped parameter method for building thermal modelling

In this work an improved method for the simplified modelling of the thermal response of building elements has been developed based on a 5-parameter second-order lumped parameter model. Previous methods generate the parameters of these models either analytically or by using single objective function optimisation with respect to a reference model. The analytical methods can be complex and inflexible and the single objective function method lacks generality. In this work, a multiple objective function optimisation method is used with a reference model. Error functions are defined at both internal and external surfaces of the construction element whose model is to be fitted and the resistance and capacitance distributions are adjusted until the error functions reach a minimum. Parametric results for a wide range (45) of construction element types have been presented. Tests have been carried out using a range of both random and periodic excitations in weather and internal heat flux variables resulting in a comparison between the simplified model and the reference model. Results show that the simplified model provides an excellent approximation to the reference model whilst also providing a reduction in computational cost of at least 30%

Multiloop Calculations in the String-Inspired Formalism: The Single Spinor-Loop in QED

We use the worldline path-integral approach to the Bern-Kosower formalism for developing a new algorithm for calculation of the sum of all diagrams with one spinor loop and fixed numbers of external and internal photons. The method is based on worldline supersymmetry, and on the construction of generalized worldline Green functions. The two-loop QED $\beta$ -- function is calculated as an example.Comment: uuencoded ps-file, 20 pages, 2 figures, final revised version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Thermodynamically consistent gradient elasticity with an internal variable

The role of thermodynamics in continuum mechanics and the derivation of the proper constitutive relations is a discussed subject of Rational Mechanics. The classical literature did not use the accumulated knowledge of thermostatics and was very critical with the heuristic methods of irreversible thermodynamics. In this paper, a small strain gradient elasticity theory is constructed with memory effects and dissipation. The method is nonequilibrium thermodynamics with internal variables; therefore, the constitutive relations are compatible with thermodynamics by construction. Thermostatic Gibbs relation is introduced for elastic bodies with a single tensorial internal variable. The thermodynamic potentials are first-order weakly nonlocal, and the entropy production is calculated. Then the constitutive functions and the evolution equation of the internal variable is constructed. The second law analysis has shown a contribution of gradient terms to the stress, also without dissipation.Comment: 17 pages, no figure

Internal and external potential-field estimation from regional vector data at varying satellite altitude

When modeling global satellite data to recover a planetary magnetic or gravitational potential field and evaluate it elsewhere, the method of choice remains their analysis in terms of spherical harmonics. When only regional data are available, or when data quality varies strongly with geographic location, the inversion problem becomes severely ill-posed. In those cases, adopting explicitly local methods is to be preferred over adapting global ones (e.g., by regularization). Here, we develop the theory behind a procedure to invert for planetary potential fields from vector observations collected within a spatially bounded region at varying satellite altitude. Our method relies on the construction of spatiospectrally localized bases of functions that mitigate the noise amplification caused by downward continuation (from the satellite altitude to the planetary surface) while balancing the conflicting demands for spatial concentration and spectral limitation. Solving simultaneously for internal and external fields in the same setting of regional data availability reduces internal-field artifacts introduced by downward-continuing unmodeled external fields, as we show with numerical examples. The AC-GVSF are optimal linear combinations of vector spherical harmonics. Their construction is not altogether very computationally demanding when the concentration domains (the regions of spatial concentration) have circular symmetry, e.g., on spherical caps or rings - even when the spherical-harmonic bandwidth is large. Data inversion proceeds by solving for the expansion coefficients of truncated function sequences, by least-squares analysis in a reduced-dimensional space. Hence, our method brings high-resolution regional potential-field modeling from incomplete and noisy vector-valued satellite data within reach of contemporary desktop machines.Comment: Under revision for Geophys. J. Int. Supported by NASA grant NNX14AM29

Вычисление нулей и полюсов функций на основе устойчивой адресной сортировки с приложением к поиску и распознаванию

The article is devoted to program method of application parallelizing internal sorting on a key for localization and the approximate computation of polynomials` zeroes with the appendix to search and recognition. The method defines multiplicity of zeroes, it is spreaded to calculation of functions` poles taking into account its order and it is applicable to determination of functions` extremes and extremal elements of numerical sequences. Search patterns and recognition of images to extreme attributes are under construction on this basis. Time complexity of consecutive and parallel realization of method is estimated. Stability of the offered patterns is proved and verified experimentally

Basel II and Operational Risk: Implications for risk measurement and management in the financial sector

This paper proposes a methodology to analyze the implications of the Advanced Measurement Approach (AMA) for the assessment of operational risk put forward by the Basel II Accord. The methodology relies on an integrated procedure for the construction of the distribution of aggregate losses, using internal and external loss data. It is illustrated on a 2x2 matrix of two selected business lines and two event types, drawn from a database of 3000 losses obtained from a large European banking institution. For each cell, the method calibrates three truncated distributions functions for the body of internal data, the tail of internal data, and external data. When the dependence structure between aggregate losses and the non-linear adjustment of external data are explicitly taken into account, the regulatory capital computed with the AMA method proves to be substantially lower than with less sophisticated approaches allowed by the Basel II Accord, although the effect is not uniform for all business lines and event types. In a second phase, our models are used to estimate the effects of operational risk management actions on bank profitability, through a measure of RAROC adapted to operational risk. The results suggest that substantial savings can be achieved through active management techniques, although the estimated effect of a reduction of the number, frequency or severity of operational losses crucially depends on the calibration of the aggregate loss distributions.operational risk management, basel II, advanced measurement approach, copulae, external data, EVT, RAROC, cost-benefit analysis.

A geometric approach to phase response curves and its numerical computation through the parameterization method

The final publication is available at link.springer.comThe phase response curve (PRC) is a tool used in neuroscience that measures the phase shift experienced by an oscillator due to a perturbation applied at different phases of the limit cycle. In this paper, we present a new approach to PRCs based on the parameterization method. The underlying idea relies on the construction of a periodic system whose corresponding stroboscopic map has an invariant curve. We demonstrate the relationship between the internal dynamics of this invariant curve and the PRC, which yields a method to numerically compute the PRCs. Moreover, we link the existence properties of this invariant curve as the amplitude of the perturbation is increased with changes in the PRC waveform and with the geometry of isochrons. The invariant curve and its dynamics will be computed by means of the parameterization method consisting of solving an invariance equation. We show that the method to compute the PRC can be extended beyond the breakdown of the curve by means of introducing a modified invariance equation. The method also computes the amplitude response functions (ARCs) which provide information on the displacement away from the oscillator due to the effects of the perturbation. Finally, we apply the method to several classical models in neuroscience to illustrate how the results herein extend the framework of computation and interpretation of the PRC and ARC for perturbations of large amplitude and not necessarily pulsatile.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Evolution of nonlocal damage in steel under cyclic straining

For high dynamic excitation, e.g. by earthquakes, the vibrations of steel structures lead to inelastic material behavior. Hystereses, developing under cyclic loading, are responsible for the dissipation of energy. Additionally, stress concentration at small defects results in the nucleation and the growth of microvoids which is referred to as damage, here especially as ultra low cycle fatigue. The material damage influences the stiffness of a structure and its response to dynamic excitation. With increasing load the voids can coalesce and form a macrocrack which destroys the structural integrity and peril the overall safety. A material model is proposed which describes the evolution and distribution of inelastic strains and isotropic ductile damage for mild construction steel by means of a set of internal variables. Viscoplasticity as well as isotropic and kinematic hardening are taken into account. The evolution of isotropic hardening is related to the growth of a strain memory surface which accounts for the strain amplitude history of the material. Under tension isotropic ductile damage develops for significant inelastic strains [1]. The material model is implemented in the frameworks of the finite element method with displacement based ansatz functions. The equation of motion is solved with the Newmark method. To overcome the phenomenon of vanishing dissipation energy in case of mesh refinement due to strain localization a nonlocal extension in the form of an implicit gradient formulation is applied. The presented model is used to analyse 3D structures subjected to seismic excitation